Imagine a basketball team that went 18-0 during the regular season, won the Eastern Maine title and didn’t graduate a senior.
Now think about that team coming back this year after having lost in the Class A state championship. That club would be the Cony Rams, and if the abundance of returning talent weren’t enough to propel them, last year’s disappointment might make them an even greater threat at tournament time. The Rams have cruised through much of the regular season and look to win their third Eastern A title in the last four years. Cony hasn’t won the state crown since 1998 and might look at the Gold Ball like a certain credit card. They don’t intend to leave without it.
Favorites: The Rams boast one of the state’s top talents in center Katie Rollins. She averaged nearly 22 points this season and hauled in close to 11 rebounds. Her size alone would be enough trouble for opponents, but Cony also boasts Cassie Cooper (16 points per game) and Rachel Mack (10 points). The Rams also have standout point guard Briiana Rende and Natalie Nimon leading an experienced and explosive club. The Rams provide plenty of matchup problems and their defense allowed just 39 points per game.
Dark horses: Skowhegan has an athletic and talented group that plays excellent defense. They beat Cony by two in the KVAC championship for the second straight year. The Indians have some confidence and momentum building. Messalonskee has Chelsey Barker and Amanda Barker leading a promising crew, but the Eagles might not have the size to dethrone Cony. Mt. Blue has an exciting young club with the size of Christina Mosher in the post, but the Cougars might be a year away.
Players to watch: Cony: Rollins, Cooper, Rende; Skowhegan: Bethany Sevey, Nicole Paradis; Bangor: Carrie Weymouth, Ilyse Angst; Messalonkee: Chelsea Barker, Amanda Barker; Mt. Blue: Christina Mosher, Amy Mansir; Nokomis: Kelley Paradis; Oxford Hills: Annie Foster, Kelsey Pelletier; Lewiston: Kelsey Varney, Tracy Bradley.
Best quarterfinal: Mt. Blue and Messalonskee are both promising young clubs ready to take a major step forward. One should make a move here. The Cougars have Mosher inside and some solid guards like Mansir, Bonnie Silkman and Amanda Laney around her. The Eagles have the Barkers and the play of Melissa Oliver and Jenna Lettenberger inside. A fourth meeting between Bangor and Nokomis could be a defensive struggle. Both clubs thrive off its defensive play. So offense may be hard to come by. The Rams won two meetings 42-33 and 38-26, but the Warriors beat Bangor 28-27 in the last matchup.
Streaks and stats: Cony has lost one regular-season game in the last five seasons and have reached the tournament 23 straight years. The Rams have lost just one quarterfinal game since 1991. Skowhegan is the second-seed for the second straight year. The Indians are 64-7 in the last four regular seasons. Bangor went 5-1 against KVAC teams, losing only to Oxford Hills. Lewiston is 39-15 in three years under Jim Hood and reached the quarterfinals all three years. Oxford Hills has never won a quarterfinal game. Mt. Blue has not won a quarterfinal since 2000.
Overview: Cony averaged 75 points per game during the regular season and outscored foes by an average of 35 points. The Rams closest games were to Messalonskee (57-48), Oxford Hills (66-62) and the second game against Skowhegan (66-52). Cony lost the KVAC title game by two but that might have been an aberration. The Rams simply have too much size, talent and experience for the other teams. Unless Cony stumbles and someone else finds their peak performance, the Rams get a shot at avenging last year’s disappointment in the state final.
Prediction: Cony
Comments are no longer available on this story